Thai Weddings

[davidxl]

I can only really give my experience, but, generally speaking, if you know what others are actually doing then "knowledge is power" in my book. And this forum should primarily be about members giving their own practical knowledge and experience rather than pontificating, judging or guessing.

Getting married in December to a healthy, beautiful, educated girl in her twenties, she's never married before and no kids, I would not expect to pay sinsod if this was not the case, though would still pay the gold and party. Legal marriage will be in BKK and settlement visa application submitted before we head up for the traditional Issan village wedding. There are 3 main factors as far as I am concerned and their value is whatever you can negotiate so be careful what you say and agree to as it will be hard to change your mind after, though there will usually be an assumption in the village that you are 'rich' (why else would she marry a falang? ) so you can afford more than a young Thai man.

Factor 1 is sin sod aka dowry, I went for B100K, seems to be about average for a falang and not that much more than a Thai would pay. Also need to agree whether you will get any of it back after the wedding, I said I didn't want it back in my case, but I also expected the parents to invest it well and not be asking for any monetary help for a long while after , they agreed. They are not rich, but are a hard working rice farming family who own a little bit of land and are well respected in their village, I hope they spend some of the money doing up their house.

Factor 2 is the gold, this is traditionally given by the groom to his wife as sort of an insurance if the marriage doesn't work out, it's also very much for show too, in our case it will actually be a small investment for both of us in these credit crunch times, 8 baht including 3 baht's worth I have already bought, engagement ring etc..

Factor 3 is cost of wedding and party itself, I have tried to steer a mid course in that I don't want a party for the whole village but more than just family 'do', enough food and booze, a big banner, some music and some nice clothes for me and teerak though these are will be done by her sis who has a clothing company in Surin, also photos, VDO and various other bits and pieces, should work out at around 40,000 baht, I've said that will have to come out of the sin sod if it works out more than this, so should help the budgeting process TBH For me, even with a recession ahead in the west, it's not a lot of money, certainly not compared to my home country - which wouldnt be a fair comparison to make anyway, and I intend to have loads of fun, be at the centre of attention for a few days and marry a beautiful thai girl who I love lots and loves me.

Hope this helps a bit

[trifle]

Hi Triffle!

As says G54... In the daily language in LOS, you have two meanings for marriage...

So you have to know (maybe from your GF) if you are speaking of the "real" legal marriage, in this case, yes you need some papers, or if it is the "socialising" marriage party (as explains G54) for family, relatives, villagers and so on, in which case you need NO official papers...

Please tell which one, to have the right answer.

Cheers and congratulation!

Thanks for your reply. I will becoming to Thailand in February and will try to make both the legal and village party... All advice gratefully accepted.. Trifle

[trifle]

Hi Triffle!

As says G54... In the daily language in LOS, you have two meanings for marriage...

So you have to know (maybe from your GF) if you are speaking of the "real" legal marriage, in this case, yes you need some papers, or if it is the "socialising" marriage party (as explains G54) for family, relatives, villagers and so on, in which case you need NO official papers...

Please tell which one, to have the right answer.

Cheers and congratulation!